Iran seizes one ship in Persian Gulf Suspected fuel smuggling December 31 7:48
Iran's elite unit, the Revolutionary Guard, has seized a boat on board a Malaysian sailor on allegedly smuggling fuel in the Persian Gulf. Details such as flag and operating company are not disclosed.
Iran's elite unit, the Revolutionary Guard, has announced via a state-run news agency that it has seized a ship on suspected of smuggling fuel near Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf.
The ship's flag and operating company are not disclosed, but the ship has over 1.3 million liters of fuel and 16 Malaysian sailors have been detained.
In Iran, fuel prices are lower than in neighboring countries due to the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, so smuggling is rampant and transport vessels and tankers are frequently seized.
In the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a coalition led by the United States, together with Saudi Arabia, has begun surveillance activities to ensure the safety of vessels.
It seems that Iran is aiming to show its internal and external stance on maintaining security in this sea area through such seizures.